Blackjack Tutorial
So you have learned the basic principles of blackjack and online blackjack. In this blackjack tutorial you'll learn how to really play. At a blackjack table, the player makes their bet and then receives two cards. The dealer also gets two cards, one face up and one face down, which is referred to as the hole card. The dealer then asks the players to make their decision and the game progresses from the dealer’s left. The position of the player to the immediate left of the dealer is known as first base. The position of the last player is third base. The player then can choose to stay or ask for another card until they are satisfied with the total (assuming they don’t go bust).
If a player wants to be dealt another card, this is referred to as taking a hit. In order to ask the dealer for another hit, the player will either tap the table in front of them or make a beckoning motion with their hand towards the dealer. After the second card if a player wants another hit, they would motion the same way. When the player is satisfied with their hand, they can signal the dealer that they wish to stand. They can do this by waving their hand over the top of their cards.
When all the cards are dealt, the dealer turns up their down card. It is a rule that if the dealer has a 17 or greater they must stay. If they have lower than that, they must deal themselves another card. If there is more than one player at the table, the all players higher than the dealer win. All players lower than the dealer lose. If the player gets a total of 21 on their first two cards and wins automatically, which is traditionally referred to as a blackjack, then they win one and a half the amount they wagered. If the dealer has blackjack then all the players at the table lose.
There are also other forms of betting in blackjack. Doubling Down is when the player is allowed to double their bet after receiving their first two cards. They then receive one card only on their hand. This is referred to as DOA and is a favorable rule to most players in a strong situation. Some casinos have different allowances but the one constant rule is that the player must receive one additional card and cannot receive more than one.
If a player is dealt a pair, which is two of the same cards, they may split them into two separate hands but must make another wager with the new hand that is equal to their starting bet. The two hands must be played separately.
Insurance is a side bet wagered for half the player’s original bet that the dealer has a natural 21. Insurance is offered when the dealer’s up card is an Ace. If the dealer has a 10 as the hole card, then the insurance pays 2 to 1 odds.
Even Money is the term used for when a player cashes in their bet immediately at a 1:1 ratio after they are dealt a natural blackjack while the dealer’s up card is an Ace.
Surrender is when the player is allowed to give up their hand and lose only half of their bet. There is another form of this known as Early Surrender and it is allowed before the dealer checks for blackjack. Late Surrender is if the dealer first checks to see if he has blackjack. If he does, then surrender is not permitted.
There are different variations of blackjack in casinos throughout the world. The game’s basic concept is a simple one but to be successful at it, a player should develop a strategy.
